Maddie James
Paraffin wax candles are a widely available and affordable option for candle lovers. They are made from petroleum or crude oil, and have been used for centuries. Paraffin wax is soft, colourless, and solid at room temperature, with a melting point above 37°C. Paraffin candles are known for their strong fragrance and ability to hold colour, but they have been criticised for their potential environmental impact and health risks. Soy wax candles, an alternative to paraffin, are made from soybean plants and are considered more environmentally friendly and less toxic. However, paraffin candles remain a popular choice due to their affordability and accessibility.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Composition | Mixture of hydrocarbon molecules containing between 20 and 40 carbon atoms |
| Source | Petroleum, coal, or oil shale |
| State | Soft, colorless solid |
| Melting Point | Above 37°C (99°F) |
| Boiling Point | Above 370°C (698°F) |
| FDA-Approved | Yes |
| Toxicity | Some studies suggest it releases harmful chemicals, while others claim it is non-toxic |
| Scent | Holds fragrance for longer |
| Color | Holds color better |
| Cost | Inexpensive |
| Biodegradability | Not biodegradable |
| Sustainability | Not sustainable |
| Clean Burning | Some studies suggest it causes indoor air pollution, while others claim it burns cleanly |
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What You'll Learn
Paraffin wax is a product of crude oil refining
The first step in making paraffin wax is to remove the oil (de-oiling or de-waxing) from the slack wax, a mixture of oil and wax that is a byproduct of refining lubricating oil. The oil is separated by crystallization, which involves heating the slack wax, mixing it with a solvent like ketone, and then cooling it. As the mixture cools, the wax crystallizes out of the solution, leaving only oil. This process is known as solvent dewaxing. The crystallized wax and oil are then separated by filtration, resulting in a product called wax paste, which is a mixture of paste wax and oil.
The wax paste undergoes further deoiling to produce commercial paraffins. There are two common methods for this step: solvent deoiling and sweating deoiling. Solvent deoiling involves adding a solvent to the wax paste and filtering it at a specific temperature to obtain crude wax with a lower oil content. The crude wax can then undergo further processing to remove colours and odours, and it may be blended to achieve desired properties such as melt point and penetration.
Paraffin wax is widely used in candles due to its low cost and clean burning properties. However, it has fallen out of favour in recent years due to concerns about the release of toxic fumes when burnt, with potential links to asthma and lung cancer. Additionally, the environmental impact of paraffin wax is significant due to the unsustainable nature of crude oil, which is a non-renewable resource that has contributed to oil spills, habitat damage, and climate change.
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Paraffin candles are inexpensive and widely available
Paraffin wax is a soft, colourless solid derived from petroleum, coal, or oil shale. It is a mixture of hydrocarbon molecules containing between 20 and 40 carbon atoms. Paraffin wax is solid at room temperature and begins to melt at temperatures above approximately 37°C (99°F). Its boiling point is above 370°C (698°F). Paraffin is a product of crude oil refining and is widely distributed to refineries that produce oil-based products. This means that paraffin wax is widely available at a lower cost. It is an appealing wax for those making large quantities of candles.
Paraffin wax is also known as petroleum wax or fully crystalline wax. It is largely odourless and colourless, although it can be dyed to make crayons. Paraffin wax was first created by Carl Reichenbach in Germany in 1830 and marked a major advancement in candle-making technology. It burned more cleanly and reliably than tallow candles and was cheaper to produce.
Paraffin candles are known for their strong scent throw, giving off a potent fragrance when lit or unlit. They are also easy to mould into different shapes and sizes due to their various melting points. Paraffin wax is also used in hybrid candles, often blended with soy wax to capture the best characteristics of both types of wax.
While paraffin candles are inexpensive and widely available, there are concerns about their impact on health and the environment. Some studies have shown that paraffin candles can release harmful chemicals, such as benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde, when burned. These toxins are linked to health issues such as respiratory irritation, allergies, and even cancer. Burning paraffin candles in unventilated spaces increases the risk of exposure to these chemicals, contributing to indoor air pollution.
However, other studies, such as the Bayreuth Institute of Environmental Research's Ökometric Wax and Emissions Study, have found that well-made paraffin candles do not pose significant risks to human health or indoor air quality. The study examined emissions from paraffin, soy, stearin, and beeswax candles and concluded that all major wax types exhibit the same clean-burning behaviour when properly wicked.
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Paraffin candles hold colour and fragrance for longer
Paraffin wax is a soft, colourless solid derived from petroleum, coal, or oil shale. It consists of a mixture of hydrocarbon molecules containing 20–40 carbon atoms. Paraffin is widely available at a lower cost and is popular among those who produce candles in bulk.
While paraffin candles are a leading cause of indoor air pollution, according to the EPA, and there are concerns about their impact on the environment and human health, studies have shown that well-made paraffin candles pose no discernible risks to human health or indoor air quality.
Soy wax candles, an alternative to paraffin, are made from soybean plants and are more environmentally friendly. They also have a higher melting point, meaning they can burn for longer. However, soy wax is more expensive than paraffin wax.
Hybrid waxes, such as a blend of soy and paraffin, can be used to capture the best characteristics of both types of wax.
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Paraffin candles are easy to mould
Paraffin wax is a soft, colourless solid derived from petroleum, coal, or oil shale. It is a mixture of hydrocarbon molecules containing between 20 and 40 carbon atoms. Paraffin wax is solid at room temperature and begins to melt at temperatures above approximately 37°C (99°F). Its boiling point is above 370°C (698°F). Paraffin wax is widely used in lubrication, electrical insulation, crayons, and candles.
Paraffin wax is a product of crude oil refining and is distributed to refineries that produce oil-based products. The feedstock for paraffin is slack wax, a mixture of oil and wax that is a byproduct of refining lubricating oil. The first step in making paraffin wax is to remove the oil from the slack wax through crystallization. The mixture is then filtered into two streams: solid (wax plus some solvent) and liquid (oil and solvent). After distillation to recover the solvent, the resulting products are called "product wax" or "press wax" and "foots oil". The lower the percentage of oil in the wax, the more refined it is considered.
The product wax may be further processed to remove colours and odours. It can then be blended to give certain desired properties, such as melt point and penetration. Paraffin wax is sold in either liquid or solid form. In industrial applications, it is often useful to modify the crystal properties of the paraffin wax by adding substances such as EVA copolymers or microcrystalline wax.
While paraffin wax is FDA-approved, there is debate about whether it is safe to use in candles due to its potential impact on the environment and human health. Some studies have shown that paraffin wax candles can release harmful chemicals, such as benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde, when burned. These toxins are linked to health issues such as respiratory irritation, allergies, and cancer. However, other studies, such as the Bayreuth Institute of Environmental Research's Ökometric Wax and Emissions Study, have found that well-made paraffin candles exhibit the same clean-burning behaviour as other types of candles and pose no discernible risks to human health or indoor air quality.
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Paraffin candles are non-toxic and safe to burn
Paraffin wax is a soft, colourless solid derived from petroleum, coal, or oil shale. It consists of hydrocarbon molecules containing 20 to 40 carbon atoms. Paraffin wax is widely used for making candles due to its low cost and availability. It is a byproduct of the oil purification process.
The key to ensuring the safe burning of paraffin candles is proper wicking. Overwicked candles, regardless of the type of wax used, can produce excessive combustion compounds. Therefore, it is important to test candles and trim their wicks to prevent the release of excessive compounds.
Compared to soy wax, paraffin wax is more widely available and better at holding fragrances and colours. However, soy wax is a more natural, eco-friendly alternative that produces less soot and toxins, resulting in improved indoor air quality. Soy wax candles also have a higher melting point, resulting in a longer burn time.
In conclusion, paraffin candles are non-toxic and safe to burn when properly manufactured and wicked. However, soy wax candles may be a preferred choice for those seeking a more natural, environmentally friendly, and longer-lasting option.
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Frequently asked questions
Paraffin candles are made from paraffin wax, a soft, colourless solid derived from petroleum, coal, or oil shale. It consists of hydrocarbon molecules containing 20-40 carbon atoms.
There is a lot of debate about the toxicity of paraffin wax. Some studies have shown that paraffin candles can release harmful chemicals, such as benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde, when burned. However, other studies have found that well-made paraffin candles do not pose any health risks and are no more toxic than candles made from other types of wax.
Paraffin wax is derived from crude oil, a non-renewable resource, and its production contributes to air pollution and environmental degradation. It is also not biodegradable. For these reasons, paraffin candles are considered bad for the environment, and many people are switching to more sustainable alternatives, such as soy or coconut wax.
Paraffin wax is widely available and affordable. It is also easy to work with and can be moulded into different shapes and sizes. Paraffin candles are known for their strong scent throw, meaning they give off a more potent fragrance. They also hold colour better than other types of candles.
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